Sovereign Prince Solon walked Lady Tabitha down the aisle, as she had no family to do this for her. She was dressed in the purest, least extravagant white gown, with simple folds and creases, revealing her beautiful brown creamy shoulders and her natural curves. She was elegant, yet almost catlike in her poise and manner. She was pure female, a lady overjoyed with passion for the man waiting for her. Every step she took showed her joy and zest for life at this once in a lifetime romance, she had found.
Solon brought her to Landon, and gave her a hug, then took his seat beside The Royalty of Outer Sea. Landon held her hand and led her up to where Stephanie waited.
“Please be seated. We are gathered here, midway between the Milky Way and Andromeda Galaxies, to witness the union of two beautiful people. My Nephew, Landon, and a lady I have come to love, Tabitha. All of us have watched you over the past many months, some of whom were cocooned in this ship, as you have fallen in love.”
“This union reflects how we, as individual peoples from different cultures within the galaxy, have so many things in common. We all need love, hope for the future. We all need to be part of something bigger than ourselves and being a part of a couple reveals this in such a personal yet vast way. We all need family, whether through birth or through marriage or other means. Today, these two special people show us how to be more together, than we can be as individuals.”
“I believe you have some words you would like to share.”
Tabitha began, “Landon, in all my life I never expected to meet anyone like you. Your passion, dedication, intelligence, energy, laughter, smiles, tenderness; everything about you makes me love you more each day. I promise to love you and be there for you every day for the rest of our lives.”
“Tabitha, you are the most unexpected gift I could ever have received. Your passion, selflessness, beauty inside and out, strength and perfect attitude, your smile, laughter and tenderness, everything about you is perfect and bring me to love you more with each moment. I also promise to love you and be there for you every day of our lives, which I pray will be a very long time.”
“Do you have rings to signify your union?”
“Yes.”
Jeffrey reached in his pocket and brought out the rings, handing them to Landon, who handed them to Stephanie.
“These rings, simple in appearance yet powerful in their meaning, show the world your commitment to each other. Each of you, take your ring to place on your loves finger.”
Once they had them, she continued, “Tabitha, by placing this ring on Landon’s finger you enter into a commitment that cannot be broken. Do you accept this journey for your life?”
“I do.”
“Then place the ring on his finger.”
“Landon, by placing this ring on Tabitha’s finger you enter into a commitment that cannot be broken. Do you accept this journey for your life?”
“I do.”
“Then place the ring on her finger.”
“With vows spoken and rings shared, I am proud to pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
The two of them nearly jumped into each other’s arms for a wonderful first kiss while the room cheered them on. Finally, they stopped and turned to the crowd, who continued to cheer, then they walked through the group thanking everyone and enjoying the beginning of their new life as husband and wife.
57.255.16
“We have experienced such wild changes in the past fifty years, but I can’t imagine all the changes you have seen in only the past few years.”
Solon laughed. “Well, let me tell you that I never dreamed of something called a ‘shower.’”
Stephanie laughed at that. “Yes, well, I hope that means that all the changes you have seen are not so bad.”
“No, I would say the vast majority of the changes are good. Especially good is knowing the Empire is in such capable and loving hands. I think we too easily think ‘Empire’ must be mean and destructive.”
“It can be, quite easily. All it takes is having someone in this position who thrives on power.”
“You don’t seem to do that. Why is that?”
Stephanie stopped and looked at him. “My life has been a mix of fighting, love, hurt, anger, and finally, hope. Jeffrey changed my life. He brought me into a position of such trust. He trusted me with not only his life, but of everyone he loved. He started as my employer but earned my respect, loyalty, love and eventually became my brother.”
“Heather started out doing nothing but being open and empathetic. She truly entered my life with a heart so big, it changed how I saw the world. She grew ever larger in my life and Jeffrey’s, and when they were married and permanently were together, it made me finally realize that love and relationships are what’s important, not power.”
“Jeffrey was the most powerful man in the universe for several years. Yet, he didn’t let that change him. No, instead, he changed others. He showed me that real power comes in the form of patience, forgiveness, and compassion. He is far more remarkable than many think he is. All of us are indebted to his attitude, because without it, we would be power hungry and probably hurting others for personal gain.”
“I didn’t know any of that.”
“No, very few do. That is because he doesn’t brag or act like he is the important one in the room.”
“I had noticed that.”
“Yes, it is probably one of his deeper characteristics. He selected Erica as his assistant and mentored her into one of the finest leaders we have ever had. She was the leader when we first began travel to the stars. She is also like Jeffrey, in that she does not brag about her accomplishments either. She in turn, selected and mentored Arabella. These three are the only leaders we have had, until I was selected by the various federations to lead. But I would be silly to not hold these three exemplary leaders dear to my heart. We meet regularly. Well, of course, I see Jeffrey daily, as he is my brother, after all.”
“Yes, but you still maintain your core team. What would happen if this team disbanded?”
She paused, then said, “I honestly believe that any leader needs a strong support team. When I cease being the Empress, then whomever follows me will need to find the same group to surround and support them. It is the selecting this group that will show the focus and attitude of the next leader. If they choose people who will only tell them what they think they want to hear, we will have tyranny. If they choose people who they love and loves them, people who will always be honest, we will have a secure time under their reign.”
57.302.18
They were now only a few weeks from arriving in the Andromeda Galaxy. This past year had been quick, but it had been hard on everyone.
“Stephanie, do you have a moment?”
“Sure, Heather, what’s up?”
“You know, I have spent a lot of time walking the passageways of this ship. We are indeed blessed to have so many wonderful people working to get us to our destination. Yet, I have also encountered a feeling of emptiness in many of them. I think we forget, those of us traveling with our family, how lucky we are. But most people on this ship and the others, don’t have their family with them. I worry what affect this will have on their ability once we reach our destination.”
“As I love you, I also know you never bring a serious problem without an idea for a solution. So, what do you have in mind?”
“Well, I thought we could direct each ship’s captain to initiate Operation Christmas Celebration! Let people decorate, give gifts, have a special meal, sing and enjoy this season before we need to get serious again for our arrival.”
“You know, dear, I believe that is a wonderful idea. We can even have competitions between ships for best decoration, song, etc.”
“Yes, it could be a lot of fun and a great energy release for the team.”
Stephanie hugged her. “Thank you, Diedre, for once again remindi
ng me to pay better attention to the whole team. Come on. Let’s get this started.”
“Jeffrey, we have an idea. Heather brought it up and I think this is wonderful.”
They discussed the idea and Jeffrey agreed it would be the kind of lift the fleet needed. They brought together staff and planned how this Christmas celebration would work, and Jeffrey went to the bridge for a fleet wide announcement to all the ships traveling to Andromeda.
“Are we ready?”
“Yes, Admiral.”
“Very well, on screen. Good morning everyone. As you know, we are only a few weeks from reaching our destination, the Andromeda Galaxy. Incredible as that sounds, it will not be long before we become the very first people from the Milky Way Galaxy to cross the distance to a new adventure. I won’t try and kid you, we are not sure what to expect when we get there. But I am confident in the Empress to be able to defeat any adversary, so have no fear of this journey.”
“However, there is one thing we do need to do before we arrive. This is going to involve everyone on these ships. We have to celebrate Christmas. I know some of you have celebrated your personal religions holy days and am thankful for that. Christmas is a holy time for many of us and we will celebrate that too. But what I want all of us to do is celebrate the joy of the holiday season with decorations, songs, even plays! This is the reason for this message. To give you the full story, I would like to introduce my wife, Archduchess Wilson.”
“Thank you, Admiral. Hi everyone! Our idea is very simple, we want to have some fun! We want to challenge each ship to compete in a holiday decorating contest and a talent contest. The winner from each ship will then compete for the grand prize in their category on a fleet-wide telecast with voting by all personnel. The final winners will receive a special gift and thanks from the Empress. We know this is short notice, but we want to finish this in two weeks, so we need everyone to get busy! Let me introduce to you a very special person with some final words.”
The Empress walked into the camera and said, “Good Morning everyone. I would like to thank Archduchess Wilson for this wonderful idea. I know we all miss our families. We are far from home on a mission to another galaxy. But we have each other, and we have our positive spirit! I want everyone to take some time in the next two weeks to get some relaxation time and have some fun. We need to be energized and rested when we arrive. The winners of this friendly competition will be brought to see me as soon as we are out of hyperspace, for a huge thank you. Now, we will get offline and let you get started. Have fun!”
Jeffrey then said, “Each ships captain, any questions, give me a shout. Now, lets do this! Have a great day!”
57.322.08
“Admiral, we will be within the galaxy very soon.”
“Thank you. Please bring us out of hyperspace a short distance from the furthest star. We should try and take a look around before we penetrate too deeply into the galaxy.”
“Aye, sir.”
“I assume we expect they will detect us as soon as we enter regular space?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, we believe that will be the case.”
“What then? Any thoughts on what to expect?”
“Your Majesty, even though you defeated the expeditionary force they sent, there is still no reason to believe the galaxy will surrender because you arrive. I still expect some issues.”
“Agreed. Well, let’s see what happens.”
“Admiral, we will exit hyperspace in ten seconds.”
“Very well.”
After they entered regular space, they began a search for any detectable evidence of technology. It took several minutes, but finally Simon said, “We have contact, far distance, perhaps one lightyear plus. Nothing close to us.”
“Recommendation?”
“Shift back into hyperdrive and move towards the galactic center. There is a star cluster fifty lightyears distant. There should be people there.”
“Very well. Before we go back into hyperspace, I believe we have some people we need to see. Please contact the Pike and Branson and have them send over their competition winners.”
“Aye.”
It didn’t take too long before they winners of the competition arrived. Jeffrey had Landon meet them and escort them to the chambers of the Empress.
“This will be broadcast live, correct?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, so the entire fleet can see the congratulations to the contest winners.”
“Very well, bring them in.”
Captain Frederica and Captain Jameson entered with the teams from their ship who won the contests. They approached the Empress and they all bowed.
“Welcome! Congratulations on your stellar performances in winning the decorating and talent contests. I must say, Captain Frederica and your team did a fabulous job decorating your ship. It was very cool how you created an entire Christmas village in your open hangar space, with images of reindeer and Santa working in the shop with the Elves. I thought it was wonderful, and apparently most of our team did as well. Congratulations!”
“Captain Jameson, your team had the best entertainment. I don’t know how you found so many talented musicians, but your team sounded like a professional orchestra. We danced to your music, and the show itself was dynamite! Thank you, and congratulations again.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
“Now, I have a small gift for each of you, and more for you to take back to your full teams on your ships. But for now, I would like each of you to walk through a receiving line so we can each thank you for your performance and support of the spirit of joy we have as a whole team.”
She turned to the camera, and added, “For all of you across our fleet who could not be here today, know that by competing and being a part of this joyous occasion, you helped raise everyone’s spirit. I thank all of you.”
Jeffrey organized the receiving line and each individual was thanked by Heather, Jeffrey, Solon, and then each was given a kiss on the cheek by the Empress. The entire team was ecstatic at this and departed back for their ships in a very festive mood.
Jeffrey went back to the bridge and waited for them to all return and report ready for departure.
“Admiral, everyone is ready.”
“Very well, per our previous conversation on our destination, Admiral, engage.”
57.325.16
They arrived at a small star cluster and found several viable planets. After some discussion, they went to the one closest to the galactic center.
“This looks like a good planet.”
“Yes, but I am not sure the people here want to see all of our starships appearing overhead.”
“You are probably right, but it is too late now. Let’s hold our position here and wait a little while to see if they try and contact us.”
It didn’t take very long.
Clement Forty-Six arrived very soon after they arrived.
“Hail Empress Stephanie. This is Clement Forty-Six. Our leader, Thaddeus Twenty-Two has sent me to extend an invitation to visit our home planet, Kaldect. He desires to meet you to discuss any possible accommodations and establish a relationship with you and your galaxy.”
“Clement Forty-Six, I would be honored to meet your leader. If you would please provide us the coordinates we will journey there.”
Once done, Clement Forty-Six bid her farewell and departed.
“It’s a trap.”
“It certainly smells like it.”
“But what options do we have? We have no choice but to go see their leader to try and sort this out.”
“I agree, Your Majesty, but still, I don’t like it.”
“Me either. Perhaps we shouldn’t go straight there?”
“No, we will not. Gabby, set our course to come out on the far side of their star system by at least a lightyear. We can then backtrack slowly to see what
awaits us.”
“Aye, Admiral, I was going to recommend exactly that.”
“Simon, any luck yet on that enhanced communication system you were exploring?”
“Not quite yet, Admiral. I believe we are close. I am hoping to complete one last test on our next entry into regular space.”
“Very well. Anyone else have any ideas?”
“Yes, I think we should divide our forces and not all arrive at one time. If we are all in one place it makes it easier for them to attack and destroy us.”
“Good idea. Gabby, create plans to separate forces after our next jump. Once we are all together and begin to move towards their planet, let’s divide up in a way that still allows you flexibility, but doesn’t allow everyone to be attacked simultaneously.”
“Aye, sir.”
“Okay, with no other thoughts, engage.”
57.333.13
It had taken some unique effort, but Simon had applied the lessons they learned in creating their intra-galactic communications system and built an inter-galactic one.
“Admiral Wilson, I think it’s ready.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I thought you would like to give it the first go.”
“Thanks, Simon. Let’s see if we can contact Tamara.”
Gabby was helping him, and they soon had a connection. It had a time delay of a few seconds. But otherwise seemed to work. No video, only audio, but this was wonderful.
“Hello, Tamara? This is Jeffrey, do you hear me?”
“Dad? Wow! Yes, I can hear you! How are you?”
“Great! We are very near our destination. Simon created yet another miracle and we can now speak. How goes everything at home?”
“Very well, although I would like to talk with Stephanie about some items that have come up.”
“Okay, I will gather her and Heather together and we will call back. It is so wonderful to hear your voice! I love you!”
“I love you!”
Andromeda Page 17
